Even In the Face of Disability, You Can Live A Self-Determined Life

My message to you today and everyday is this: Be determined. I feel I can say this as someone who, like all of us, has had their challenges in life. I have persevered and you can too. And today, I would like to share my story with you.

I was born with cerebral palsy. The diagnoses came at a very young age, and I had an early understanding that my life would be more challenging in different ways from my siblings. I grew up in a world that often equates limitations with identity. However, I chose a different path, one that says “It’s not what you overcome, it’s what you become.”

Let me say this again: No matter who you are, disabled or not, raising a child who has a disability or not, we can all overcome life’s obstacle course. And I would like to share with you how I did so.

My biggest advocate was my mom. She always told me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. And did I ever! I tested her theory out many times throughout my life, and, in doing so, I felt her words become my inner voice. That inner voice, paired with my little bit of stubbornness, has proved more often than not that my mom was right.

And with that, I have never let my disability define me as I have successfully pursued my goals, dreams, and aspirations. My journey has, of course, been met with barriers, bumps, and ignorance that had to be conquered in order to achieve my plans.

Allow me to share some of the things I have accomplished to this point in life (and I have plans to do even more):

• I am a college graduate and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration
• I successfully led a health care program for the homeless in San Mateo County, a county within the San Francisco Bay Area
• Recently, I co-founded a non-profit organization called SELF-Start to assist people with disabilities to pursue and lead a self-determined life
• I am an advocate, public speaker, podcaster, and author who works to serve and give a voice to a number of different groups in our society that have been traditionally underserved, underrepresented, under seen, and under respected

• I am a consultant and coach who works with high school students, families, and educators to bring real-world self-determination skills such as decision making, problem solving, goal setting, and self-advocacy to the forefront of youth’s lives

And, as I shared, I have much more to do and give.

Now, I would like to share some advice. This advice is for anyone who can relate to me. for anyone who can relate to me.

My top 5 pieces of advice to anyone who has a disability is:

• Always believe in yourself and celebrate the person you are and the opportunities you have.
• You are entitled to a life in which you are respected, with dignity, in a manner of your own choosing.
• You are capable of being a full contributor to your community.
• When faced with setbacks, count on those who support you and always remember your sense of humor — and to take away important learnings from the situation.
• Society may try to define you by your disability or limitation; that’s their problem, not yours.

And now I would like to share some advice for those of you who are reading my story and want to learn more about peple with physical limitations.

My top 5 pieces of advice or things I wish people understood or knew about people with physical limitations and why:

1. You may not know it, but we live life the way you live life.
2. I laugh at myself and you can join me, just don’t laugh at me.
3. Give us a chance…you will be pleasantly surprised!
4. Our circumstances allow us to see the world through a unique lens as we forge our own paths and journey. We know our lives are difficult, but we don’t let that stop us from living our best life.
5. The most challenging aspect of my disability is how I am initially perceived and underestimated by society. I accept and am comfortable with who I am, even when others are not.

For me, life is not what I overcome, it is about what I have become.

Molly T. Kennedy Consulting empowers youth with disabilities, along with their families and educators, to develop the skills, confidence, and voice needed to live a self-determined life.